CMBC HUNT TEST
The Central Maine Brittany Club Hunt Test
Held each spring at the at the Maine Bird Dog Field Trial Grounds in Fryeburg, ME.
A hunt test is a great field event to do between hunting seasons to keep us and our dogs in shape and have some fun. It’s an opportunity to meet people with the same interests and get tips from veteran handlers to hone training and hunting abilities.
CMBC Hunt Tests follow AKC regulations and are open to all AKC pointing breed dogs that are 6 months or older on the first day of the hunt test. Visit the AKC for registration requirements and eligible breeds.
Our hunt tests are held at the Maine Bird Dog Trial Grounds. Members of our club and the Maine Bird Dog Club have work days to groom the course and improve native habitat. There is plenty of space for camping at the site.
The Junior Hunt Tests are held on a single course with Bird Field. The Master Hunt Tests and Senior Hunt Tests are held on a single course with Bird Field. A minimum of 15 minutes is allowed for each brace in the Junior Hunt Test, and at least 30 minutes is allowed for each brace in the Senior and Master Hunt Tests.
Central Maine Brittany Club members will make a special effort to help Junior handlers or inexperienced handlers who may be new to field events. Entry fees are waived for junior handlers! Whatever your skill level or experience, the CMBC welcomes you to join us.
If you are a new Brittany owner or are interested in becoming a Brittany owner, we encourage you to attend our spring hunt test to meet our club members for some valuable tips on how to get started in performance events. The grounds are lovely, CMBC club members are friendly and information is free!
date
Saturday, May 4
Sunday, May 5
contact
HUNTING
BIRD FINDING
POINTING
TRAINABILITY
HONORING
RETRIEVING
CMBC members are available to help anyone new to Hunt Tests learn the ropes. Spectators are welcome.
Field Trials and Hunt Tests – What’s the Difference?
Unlike field trials, hunt tests are not competitive. In a field trial, championship points may be awarded to dogs in competition in various stakes with specific requirements. Hunting Tests enable owners to have the hunting abilities of their dogs evaluated and graded against written hunting standards under simulated but near-natural hunting conditions. Each dog is judged individually. At the end of a hunt test, dogs that score high enough will qualify towards certification.
What Titles Are Awarded?
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Junior Hunter (JH) - 4 Qualifying scores at the Junior Hunt Test Level
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Senior Hunter (SH) - 5 Qualifying scores at the Senior Hunt Test Level (4 if a Junior Hunter)
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Master Hunter (MH) - 6 Qualifying scores at the Master Hunter Test Level (5 if a Senior Hunter)
Advanced Titles in each level are possible with additional qualifying scores, submission of a fee and an AKC Advanced Title tracking form.
The Score
Each ability is scored from 0 – 10. In order to qualify for the brace, the score must average at least 7 (8 for advanced titles) with no ability receiving a score less than 5.
Guidelines for Scoring AKC Pointing Breed Hunt Tests
Judging is not an exact science and there are occasions when some aspect of an ability is viewed differently by different Judges. In AKC hunt test seminars, judges are encouraged to ask themselves "given the expectations of the level being judged, would you be proud to go hunting with this dog."
Although a judge must use his or her own judgement, the AKC has created the following scoring guidelines. The guidelines must be tempered by the testing level under consideration.
Scoring/Interpretation
Explanation
Illustrative Examples
0 Score:
Lack of Performance
Disqualification warranted by extreme departures(s) from standard or complete lack of performance.
Aggression, no find, refuses to acknowledge honor, gun shy, bird unfit for consumption, no point, extreme interference with bracemate, etc.
1-4 Score:
Unacceptable Performance
Performance not to standard. Basic requirements not met. Significant fault(s) exhibited or major handler error(s).
Timid, does not hunt, bumps bird intentionally, flash point, out of sight too long, very disobedient, steals point, breaks point early, very ineffective retrieve, handler guides dog to bird, commands honor prior to acknowledgement, etc.
5-6 Score:
Basic
Qualifying Performance
Performance barely meets requirements. Performance meets essential requirements; however, there is need for improvements(s).
Excessive checking back, pottering, several "nonproductive" points, ignores likely cover, creeps on point or honor, point lacks intensity, repeated delayed response to commands, inefficient retrieve, etc.
Performance shows promise and meets essential requirements - could have been done more effectively.
7 Score:
Average
Qualifying Performance
Useful hunting pattern, holds point just long enough, completes the retrieve but drops bird just short of handler, responds to commands but not always as quickly as desired, moves a step or two on shot, etc.
Performance exceeds essential requirements. A few minor areas for improvement may be observed.
8-9 Score:
Outstanding
Qualifying Performance
Hunts intelligently with speed and stamina, shows very good intensity in difficult situations, no movement at shot, honors quickly, etc.
Performance that significantly exceeds all requirements and is both efficient and effective.
10 Score:
Exceptional
Qualifying Performance
Something really exceptional, i.e., difficult blind retrieve, honors without handler present, multiple high-quality finds, extreme intensity on point, no verbal commands, etc.